Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1887-06-13
POWDERLY.
The General Master Workman Ad-
dresses Large Audience In Bos-
ton for the ShOemakers' Benefit.
He Cries Ont A gainst Rum Drinking-Taken
Suddenly Sick He Stops
Abruptly.

BosToN, MASS, June I2.-General
Master Workman Powderly, General
Secretary Litchman and A. A. Carlton of
the General Executive Board, Knights of
Labor, are in tie city. A mass-me~ ing
with an admission fee OF % and so cents
for the benefit of the locked-out shoe
makers of Worcester, Brookfeld and
Spencer was held at Mechanic hall last
evening. About $500 persons were
present. Messrs. Carlton and Litchmsn
addressed the assembly at length on the
state of the order and the strike at
Woscester, urging Boston workmen not
to let their brothers suffer for the sinews
of war. PoWderly was greeted with a
torrent of enthusiasm, the audience
rising and giving cheer upon cheer.
He expressed his thanks for the hearty
reception Referring to Boston's wei
come to Queen Kspiolani, he said the
CT tY did right. 1t also did right N de-
Gliding to welcome him in royal way,
for although individually he counted no
more than any other, yet as the head OF
an organization that is working to bring
the country back to her original moor
ings he represents more than any mon
arch on Gods earth. Applause. In
welcoming him Boston welcomes labor
throughout the length and breadth OF the
land. Referring to newspaper reports OF
dissensions in the order, he said that
differences did exist and always would,
so long as men we're men, but that the
order would survive all differences and
live to accomplish its object. After
dwelling at some length upon the priuci-
pies and work of the order, he delivered
q powerful PHILIPPE on the evils Of rum,
and besought workiugmen to abandon
the habit of drinking rum, and declared
that ne wished every member of the
knights of Labor was compelled to sign
the pledge as preliminary to member
ship. He denied the charge that ne had
sought to use the order in the interests of
the Catholic church. He had explained
it's principles and workings TO
high officials of both the Catholic and
Protestant churches, and if he had been
in any degree instrumental in securing
the good will of Rome, he thought he de-
served praise rather than blame. Finally,
he said he desired 30 say once for all, en-
phstically, that he YVES not a candidate
for reelection to the Office of General
MIS- lCI w Vi hIllGLJ anu ullNASA NJ SbiNuAiA
stances would ne accept reelection. He
had been misrepresented and falsely &C
cused, and he desired privacy and rest.
He would, however, continue to work in
the interest of the order even If he was
obliged to pay for the privilege of so do
ing.
While speaking, Mr.. Powderly sudden
ly placed his right hand upon his left
breast, and his countenance assumed an
expression of intense pain. A deep quiet
prevailed. After moment he said he was
unable to continue his address, and isat
down. a glass of water was given him,
and g few moments later he again arose
and expressed his regret at being obliged
to abruptly conclude his remarks, thank-
ed the audience ror it's kind attention
and sympathy and withdrew.
Subsequently many of the leading
Knights of Boston paid their respects TO
Mr.. Powderly in body. 1t was stated
that the General Master Workman is
afflicted with lung difficulty, which is
liable to compel him to cease speaking at
any time, when addressing public meet
inc